Premier League: Team of the Week IX feat. Chelsea and Liverpool stars

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Coach: Antonio Conte (Chelsea)

Formation: 3-5-2

Former Italy and Juventus manager Antonio Conte was handed the task of reviving Chelsea as a force in the Premier League following a crisis season last term, which began as defending champions under Jose Mourinho and ending the season in 10th place, with no trophy and no European football to look forward to this term.

It hasn’t been the most ideal of starts for the Italian however. Defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal in consecutive weeks in September brutally exposed the frailties of an ageing Chelsea side, which prompted Conte to change tact and make the tactical switch to his preferred 3-5-2 formation, so often favoured during his tenures over Juventus and the Italian National Team. Since then, the Blues haven’t looked back. Three victories on the spin have propelled Chelsea back into contention and he was as animated as ever on the touchline against Mourinho Chelsea as he urged Blues supporters to make more noise during the second half, even in the midst of watching his team pull of a demolition job on the Red Devils.

His tactical approach snuffed out United to great effect, and his willingness to shuffle the pack at Chelsea has single-handedly hauled them back in amongst the frontrunners in the Premier League, and so deservedly, he takes his place in the dugout for the week’s pick.